Sports

Analysis: NFL trade deadline examined

A look at all of Tuesday’s deals

Editor Brady Landry

Not unlike last season, the NFL trade deadline was, for the most part, a bust. But there were a couple of notables that provided a little football excitement in a news day dominated by the election. Here I’ll be going over all the trades that happened in the days before and on deadline day.

The first trade was New York Jets trading defensive tackle Steve Mclendon to the Super Bowl contending Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jets had not (and still haven’t) won a game and decided to hold a small fire sale. Tampa had lost their stalwart tackle Vita Vea to a season ending injury and was in desperate need of a replacement. The Jets are clearly giving up on the season, and this veteran dump proves it.

Another trade was the Los Angeles Chargers trading former AP All-Pro cornerback Desmond King to the Tennessee Titans. This trade was an absolute win for the Titans as it only cost them a sixth round draft pick. The Chargers made a boneheaded decision, trading King on an expiring contract when they could’ve gotten a third round compensatory pick in return. The Titans bamboozled the Chargers and should be looking to start extension talks with King soon.

The next trade was the San Francisco 49ers acquiring a fifth round pick and linebacker Kiko Alonso in exchange for linebacker Kwon Alexander. Alexander, a solid player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has struggled to stay healthy after suffering an injury after signing with the 49ers. Alexander is still young and if healthy is a great addition to a work-in-progress defense.

The last major trade was the Miami Dolphins sending wide receiver Isaiah Ford to their rival New England Patriots. The Patriots have been struggling at the position even with their best players on the field, and are sitting at 2-5. The Dolphins, with a surplus at the position/ decided to take pity on the lowly Patriots and got a compensatory sixth round pick in return for Ford. Ford has been a solid young slot receiver for Miami, but has been overshadowed by players like Preston Williams, Devante Parker, Albert Wilson, and Mike Geisiki. Ford is hoping to find a home with the Pats and make an immediate impact for a struggling team.

As boring as the trade deadline was this year, NFL fans still have a lot to look forward to. Week 9 is looking to be exciting with lots of good games gaming up and before we know it, the playoffs will be here. Here’s to hoping the rest of the season is a great one.